Technology is incredibly important today. When we look for information and research we no longer go to the library or consult an encyclopedia. Instead we hop on the internet either though a web-browser or an app. We access information that is more current, along with richer pictures, movies, and forum discussions from leaders and other people interested in the same domain as us. To expect a parent to pick up a phone and call a teacher's voicemail, or even go through their child's paperwork is less-likely today in the age of central-hubs providing immediate availability wherever you are. Therefore it is incredibly important to push your information onto the internet so that is more visible and highly digestible by all students and stakeholders. Using Twitter, Facebook, and other social media helps make your school/program/class more visible and gets that information infront of more eyes more often.
I would like to use more social media through my school and program. However, I am hesitant to use more than Twitter since the majority of our students are under the age of 13 and "technically" not allowed to use these sites without parent permission.
Reflection
I thought this assignment was good. I haven't used a Wikispace before, so I am glad that I was able to experiment with it so that I could see what it has to offer. Now after spending some time with Wikispaces I can formulate my opinion that Wikispaces is a less than optimal way to develop a website. In order to make my Wikispace even look remotely presentable I had to create a lot of my information outside of Wikispace and then import it into the site. It is a basic site that allows less-technically advanced teachers post information on. However, today there is a new set standard of design on websites. There are websites out there that allow you to develop and push the same content that you can create with Wikispace, however do so through a much easier way through a better CMS (Content Management System). A website to check out for less advanced users would be square space. For more advanced users Wordpress looks very basic and almost remedial on the front end, but if you're good with coding and development of images and graphics you can create a very impressive website that is easily updated.
One concern I have with Wikispaces is the use of sub-domains. This is a sub-domain: richlandband.wikispaces.com. Sub-domains are commonly interpreted as not being professional as they are commonly linked to another brand, and typically are offered for free. A primary domain: www.wikispaces.com, are more easily visitable since they are shorter. They also can better promote a program/school/class if displayed on a business card, brochure, poster, etc. Domains are only about $12 per year. However with a domain purchase, one will also need to purchase hosting for about $30-50 per year (on the cheap side for less options). Using Wikispaces it is so easy to just use the typical sub-domain offering. Wikispaces does offer the option for using a primary domain that you purchase, however I do not see many people using it.
Thoughts
Technology is incredibly important today. When we look for information and research we no longer go to the library or consult an encyclopedia. Instead we hop on the internet either though a web-browser or an app. We access information that is more current, along with richer pictures, movies, and forum discussions from leaders and other people interested in the same domain as us. To expect a parent to pick up a phone and call a teacher's voicemail, or even go through their child's paperwork is less-likely today in the age of central-hubs providing immediate availability wherever you are. Therefore it is incredibly important to push your information onto the internet so that is more visible and highly digestible by all students and stakeholders. Using Twitter, Facebook, and other social media helps make your school/program/class more visible and gets that information infront of more eyes more often.I would like to use more social media through my school and program. However, I am hesitant to use more than Twitter since the majority of our students are under the age of 13 and "technically" not allowed to use these sites without parent permission.
Reflection
I thought this assignment was good. I haven't used a Wikispace before, so I am glad that I was able to experiment with it so that I could see what it has to offer. Now after spending some time with Wikispaces I can formulate my opinion that Wikispaces is a less than optimal way to develop a website. In order to make my Wikispace even look remotely presentable I had to create a lot of my information outside of Wikispace and then import it into the site. It is a basic site that allows less-technically advanced teachers post information on. However, today there is a new set standard of design on websites. There are websites out there that allow you to develop and push the same content that you can create with Wikispace, however do so through a much easier way through a better CMS (Content Management System). A website to check out for less advanced users would be square space. For more advanced users Wordpress looks very basic and almost remedial on the front end, but if you're good with coding and development of images and graphics you can create a very impressive website that is easily updated.One concern I have with Wikispaces is the use of sub-domains. This is a sub-domain: richlandband.wikispaces.com. Sub-domains are commonly interpreted as not being professional as they are commonly linked to another brand, and typically are offered for free. A primary domain: www.wikispaces.com, are more easily visitable since they are shorter. They also can better promote a program/school/class if displayed on a business card, brochure, poster, etc. Domains are only about $12 per year. However with a domain purchase, one will also need to purchase hosting for about $30-50 per year (on the cheap side for less options). Using Wikispaces it is so easy to just use the typical sub-domain offering. Wikispaces does offer the option for using a primary domain that you purchase, however I do not see many people using it.